HOPPS Ghost Hunters

Did you ever go ghost hunting and get pictures with strange colored eyes way back in the darkest areas of your flash pictures?  I have seen eyeshine (basically the colors reflected from the eye) in many pictures groups have taken --some thinking they might be ghostly eyes.  I haven't seen the eyes of a ghost up close and personal (if they even have eyes), but I have seen many eyes in the dark that may be hard to identify if you don't know what colors different animal's eyes reflect.  I put together this chart to help in that matter.  I got this from many web sources and did some research only to find there is not an all inclusive list to be had anywhere.  Keep in mind, these are observed and reported colors of "eyeshine", and there may be many more associated with these animals.  This is basically just a crutch to help you identify possible sources of your "glowing eye" pictures.  Notice, red eyes seem to be mostly rodents and predators.  I hope ghosts aren't predators for all our sake.

Well, I got some good news, the article about Allison's Grave will be in the Williamsport Sun Gazette this Sunday, Dec 12th.  Check it out this coming Sunday!  Once I get the article scanned, I'll post a link here to the article. 

Journalist Jeff Federowicz, of the Webb Weekly (and several other local publications) wrote a very nice article about us after a question and answer session we conducted via email over the past three weeks.  If you'd like to see his article, it has been moved from the Webb Weekly sight, but can be seen by clicking here Webb Weekly Article  I appreciate the time Jeff put into this and the questions being a little different than I'm used to answering.  Thanks for you time and effort, Jeff,  our whole group appreciates the exposure and the time you took to recognize our efforts.

--John Herr

Update 21 Oct 09: Last night's turnout was tremendous.  We had 32 people when I stopped counting and had to start the presentation, but more entered as we began.  I want to thank all of those who attended for being courteous to us and the guests who attended and made room so we could all be included. I'm indeed humbled by all the attention given to our little group during the hour and forty-five minutes we held the presentation.  I realize many of you may have hoped for more, or didn't know what to expect, but at the very least everyone stayed until the end.  We didn't know what to expect either, so I prepared the slides as if it was something I would attend myself if given the opportunity.  Hopefully of the views I expressed were not taken as personal attacks on any group, person, or personal belief.  We merely presented our views and how we operate.  We all understand there are other views on the topic, but since I did tell you more than once, "There are no experts" in this endeavor, I hope you understand I am no expert either and may be wrong about some of my views.  There must be a foundation for any group to exist in harmony, and what was stated at the event was our basic foundation.  Again, thank you all for attending and thanks for the email we received today.  We hope you'll all join us at one of our public hunts so we can get to know you individually!  Keep watching for updates!

Please note, the photographs on this ad were not taken by HOPPS.  These were placed on the library flier, only as an example.  HOPPS did not create this flyer in any way shape or form.

I was just checking some of my bookmarks and lo and behold I found out we're #18 most popular paranormal website on Alexa.  We're in very good company here and hope to continue moving up the scale.  I'm amazed with an official website only 10 months old how far we've climbed on the Alexa list.  See for yourself!

http://www.alexa.com/topsites/category/Top/Society/Paranormal/Organizations

 I checked again today 9/25/09, and we're down to #25. Fairly fluid as we peaked at #17 just a week ago.  Still and all, we're getting the message out.

Strong electromagnetic fields (EMFs) can cause a variety of physiological complications and/or symptoms.  High EMF can cause hallucinations, a feeling of anxiety, unexplained rashes, a feeling of dizziness and many other signs of sensitivity to exposure (each person is different).  It has been suggested high EMFs can cause cancer, tumors (particularly brain tumors), fluctuations in heart rhythm, etc.  It is important to know exposure levels when helping a client.  A recent case HOPPS investigated had a background reading of 40 milligauss, with a high around 400 at times.  Looking at the chart below, you can see this is more than a welder receives in a day, and our count of 400 was per hour.  Effectively, EMF is a type of radiation.....and can be just a much a health concern.  If you find readings above 3.0, be sure to advise your client this is unusually high as the EPA suggests this is the normal range for background in a city environment.  More than this (and constant) should be reported to you electric company to be tested.  Keep in mind, if you live near 50-500 megawatt transmission lines, you can expect high readings up to 1000 meters away.  Just be aware, and limit your exposure to the best of your ability.  Limiting exposure time, distancing youself from the source, and shielding (put something solid between you and the source) are your best protection. 

Field Note:  Be aware, your recorders can be affected by high EMF as well.  Static, white noise, video and audio abberations are the norm near high electrical and magnetic output.  You can attempt to lessen the effect using a Faraday Cage (UTube has many videos on building a simple, cheap, and portable cage), which effectively absorbs the energy in most cases and protects your equipment from being affected. 

Keeping this in mind, an orb on your digital camera, or strange streaks, mists, etc. that you didn't see with the naked eye, could be EMF interference. Be aware there's a lot of science behind investigating and use it! 

 (WARNING:  A leaking microwave door can allow microwaves to zap you or your equipment just as lighting or a static charge may jump between objects. Anyone attempting this does so at their own risk. Be sure your microwave is safe using an approved leak detector before attempting this experiment!)                                    If you want to experiment with this at home to see how it works, simply microwave a cup of water, then put your recorder, digital camera, or video recorder close to the window while it is running. You should get interference lines, noises, etc. on what you recorded ......that's a very good approximation of what high EMF does to electronics.

Average magnetic field exposures for various types of workers (in milligauss*)

        Type of worker                 Average daily exposures

         (on the job)                   Median**     Range

    Clerical workers without computers  0.5          0.2 - 2.0

    Clerical workers with computers     1.2          0.5 - 4.5

    Machinists                          1.9          0.6 - 27.6

    Electric line workers               2.5          0.5 - 34.8

    Electricians                        5.4          0.8 - 34.0

    Welders                             8.2          1.7 - 96.0

  Workers off the job (home, travel, etc.) 

                                        0.9          0.3 - 3.7

*Magnetic fields are often measured in gauss or milligauss (one thousandth of a gauss = 1 milligauss).
**The median is the middle measurement: half the workers have average daily exposures above this point and half below.

I just drove by the Muncy Cemetery today (May 30, 09) and noticed some no trespassing signs posted at every entrance.  I stopped to take a look at what the notice beside them said and it reads "Visiting hours are from dawn till dusk."  Well, there goes another one for us to work in.  But understandably with all the vandalisms in cemeteries within the area, I don't blame them.  If you want to hunt out the paranormal in this area, get permission if they'll grant it.

Local Newspaper Article: East Lycoming Shopper (click link)

Laura appears in ad (see left picture) with Steve Gonsalves for The Scarehouse haunted attraction scheduled for Oct 3, 2009.

The Ghost Hunters Return!

 
Millions of viewers regularly watch the Ghost Hunters investigate haunted houses and bizarre occurrences throughout the country.  Now, for one night only, three stars of this paranormal phenomenon are coming back to Pittsburgh!